Types of Models of organizational behavior
Table of Contents
- jaro education
- 20, July 2024
- 5:00 pm
In today’s fast-paced world, managers, leaders, and HR professionals must understand human behavior in a professional workspace. Understanding the types of organizational behavior has become an essential tool for managing the modern-day workspace. This not only helps them understand the organizational structure but also improves employees’ well-being. For management professionals, it is essential to understand the types of organizational behavior and how they work. However, it is equally important for professionals to understand what organizational behavior is in the first place.
What is Organizational Behavior?
Organizational behavior is the study of how employees interact within groups in a workplace. It focuses on understanding and managing these interactions to improve productivity, job satisfaction, and overall workplace effectiveness. It’s an effective interface between human behavior and the organization itself.
Managers and Human Resource professionals can evaluate and predict the effectiveness of policies they have in place. It works from both the standpoints- for the company’s growth as well as employee’s well-being.
The Levels of Study of Organizational Behavior
The study of types of organizational behavior is conducted on three levels- the individual, group, and organizational levels. Before understanding the models of organizational behavior, leaders must know the key components and metrics of studying organizational behavior. These are:
1. Individual behavior
- Personality: Understanding how individual differences in personality can affect behavior.
- Perception: How individuals interpret and make sense of their environment in an organization.
- Motivation: Theories and practices that influence what drives people to act.
- Learning: How individuals acquire new knowledge and skills.
2. Group behavior
- Team Dynamics: How employees interact and collaborate to work together in groups.
- Communication: It encompasses how effective and fruitful the information exchange is within the organizational groups.
- Leadership: Styles, traits, and behaviors of employees that influence others.
- Conflict and Negotiation: It focuses on managing disagreements, if any, and finding solutions that benefit everyone in the group.
3. Organizational Structure
- organizational Design: How jobs and tasks are formally divided, grouped, and coordinated.
- Culture: Shared values, beliefs, and norms influence people’s behavior.
- Change Management: Processes for successfully implementing organizational changes.
- Work Environment: Physical and psychological conditions of the workplace.
4. External Environment
- Economic Factors: How economic conditions impact organizational behavior.
- Technological Changes: Influence of new technologies on organizational processes and employees productivity.
- Globalization: Long and short-term effects of operating in a global marketplace.
Understanding Different Types of organizational behavior
Various models have been developed to explain, predict, and influence behavior within organizations. These models help managers understand employees’ peer-to-peer interaction and the organizational structure. These are:
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1. Autocratic Mode
The autocratic model of organizational behavior is characterized by a top-down approach where authority is centralized. Managers hold the power, and employees are expected to follow instructions without question. This model is often based on the traditional belief that people are inherently lazy and must be pushed to work.
Characteristics of an autocratic model include:
- Authority: Centralised power and decision-making.
- Control: Strict supervision and control over employees.
- Motivation: Employees are motivated by fear and discipline.
- Communication: One-way communication from top to bottom.
Notable Advantages of the Autocratic Model are:
- Quick decision-making as authority is concentrated at the top.
- Clear and direct communication/disclosure of policies and procedures.
2. Custodial Model
The custodial model is one of the types of organizational behavior that focuses on the organization’s economic resources. It aims to provide security and benefits to employees to ensure loyalty and commitment. This model arose as a response to the limitations of the autocratic model, emphasizing the welfare of employees.
Characteristics of the Custodial Model are:
- Economic Security: Emphasis on providing job security, fringe benefits, and incentives.
- Dependence: Employees become dependent on the organization for their economic security.
- Motivation: Employees are motivated by financial rewards and security.
Advantages of Custodial Model include:
- Increased job security and employee satisfaction.
- Reduction in labor turnover and absenteeism.
3. Supportive Model
As the name suggests, the supportive model is mainly based on leadership and employee support. It focuses on the role of managers, HRs, and leaderships. They all work towards supporting their employees and enhancing their skills. It ultimately helps foster a positive working environment in the organization.
Characteristics of a Supportive Model include:
- Leadership: Managers act as coaches and mentors.
- Employee Development: Focus on training and development.
- Motivation: Employees are motivated by recognition and job satisfaction.
- Communication: Two-way communication is encouraged.
Advantages of a Supportive Model are:
- High employee morale and job satisfaction.
- Employees are encouraged to be more innovative and creative.
- Build strong leader-employee relationships in the workplace.
Limitations of a Supportive Model are:
- A significant investment is required for the training and development of employees.
- This model may be ineffective in large-scale organizations.
- Managers need to be highly skilled in leadership and interpersonal skills.
4. Collegial Model
The collegial model is based on partnership and teamwork. It promotes community building and collaboration within the organization. Employees and managers can work together, getting equal opportunities and recognition.
Characteristics of a Collegial Model include:
- Teamwork: Emphasis on collaborative efforts and team-based activities.
- Participation: Employees participate in decision-making processes.
- Motivation: Driven by shared goals and mutual respect.
Advantages of the Collegial Model are:
- High levels of employee engagement and commitment.
- Fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among employees.
- Promotes creativity and innovation through collaborative efforts.
Pitfalls of a Collegial Model are:
- Decision-making can be slower due to the need for consensus.
- Potential for conflicts if team dynamics are not managed effectively.
- It is based on a culture of trust and mutual respect, which can be difficult to develop.
5. System Model
In a system model, the organization is considered as an open system. It focuses on different subsystems which are working interdependently. These include employees, managers, technology, and the entire environment.
Characteristics of a System Model include:
- Holistic View: Considers the organization as a whole, including external factors.
- Interdependence: Focus on the interrelatedness of different organizational components.
- Adaptability: Emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability.
Advantages of a System Model are:
- Â Comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics.
- Â It promotes continuous improvement and innovation among employees.
Drawbacks of the System Model are:
- Complexity in managing and understanding all interrelated components.
- Requires regular monitoring and adjustments depending on the current challenges.
- This model can be resource-intensive.
Significance of Types of Models of Organizational Behavior
Comprehending the types of models of organizational behavior is crucial for managers and highly beneficial for employees. Managers can spot the traits of their employees depending on which they can enhance their skills and work on their well-being. Some notable features of models of organizational behavior include:
1. Enhancing Managerial Effectiveness
This behavioral study equips managers and leaders with the knowledge to assess and predict employee behavior. This understanding helps them to prepare effective strategies to motivate their employees. It also helps them build better leadership skills.
Being a manager, you can build an environment for your employees and encourage them to develop their skills. Employees feel valued, supported, and satisfied working in such an environment.Â
2. Promoting a Positive Organizational Culture
These models are the foundation of curating the organizational culture as they promote teamwork, mutual respect, and support. For example, the collegial model promotes a culture of shared responsibility and a collaborative environment. It helps create a sense of working in a single team. Â
3. Facilitating Change Management
Studying and implementing these tools in real-life scenarios helps bring effective organizational changes. Managers can easily figure out how changes brought in one unit of the organization can affect the entire working system. This model is usually followed during mergers, and managers can easily plan for upcoming changes.
4. Enhancing organizational Performance
By applying the principles of different organizational behavior models, organizations can improve overall performance. For example, the supportive and collegial models focus on employee engagement and participation. By employees’ engagement in important opinions, managers can choose better business ideas. Such decision-making processes can lead to innovative solutions.
5. Personal Development and Leadership
For professionals aspiring to be in leadership roles, understanding these models is essential for personal development. They provide a foundation for developing effective leadership styles that are adaptive to various organizational contexts. BY gaining these insights, a leader can build trust with their employees. Not only can it inspire the employees, but also help them be productive.
Final Thoughts
It’s vital to understand the types of models of organizational behavior for managers. However, times have changed, and so have how employees work in a dynamic and hybrid environment. That said, managers and leaders must follow either a single or a combination of the models depending on several factors. They must consider the organization’s goals, culture, and external environment. Modern organizations are adopting a combination of these models to create a dynamic and flexible approach.
As the organizational landscape is faster than ever, professionals also need to understand these models through dynamic learning methods. Such methods can only be learnt through programs like the Online MBA Degree from Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning. The curriculum created by SSODL matches the dynamic world of today’s ever-changing world. This 100% online programme is taught by highly experienced faculty members who ensure their lessons are aligned with market changes. Plus, you get access to a 24/7 learning management system for assistance anytime, anywhere.
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